Have You Ever Had to wait on a Personal Promise from God?

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Oct 30, 2023
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#1
I'm going through the most difficult period of my entire life. I won't elaborate on it really but I will say that until about 3 years ago I was never faced with the reality of God "speaking" directly to a person-- outside a Biblical episode. But this isn't a theoretical/abstract theological issue for me. About 3 years ago I was in a desperate position and crying out to God like never before, praying more frequently and more intensely than ever in my life, trying to get some clarity about a very painful situation. And one night while I was praying the Holy Spirit spoke something to my heart. It's hard to explain, but I know this was a real experience and it was confirmed by a multitude of other things later on. God impressed a promise upon my heart. I knew when it happened what it meant-- but I had no idea what kind of waiting period it would entail. Almost a year after that I received another clear answer to prayer that in a special way connected with the 1st promise. In between these events God also confirmed His first promise to me to someone else on the other side of the world who was praying for me in a way only God could do. there's a lot more i can say but I want to keep things simple. This is extremely difficult for me because I never thought God would keep me waiting this long and it all seems so hopeless now.
I'm just wondering if anyone else here can relate to this.
I often feel like I should give up hoping God will ever fulfill the promise to me... at the same time I can't deny that there have been further confirmations of the promise to me. A particularly notable one back in January. In a very special way God made clear to me His promise was still to me.
It's just so painful to keep waiting-- with no idea when it will ever come to pass.
 
Feb 4, 2023
38
19
8
#2
Hello Daniel. I'm very sorry about your situation. I can personally relate about the difficulty and the pain of waiting with no idea when or "if" it will ever come to pass. It's very painful to wait that I just want to stop waiting and hoping but I keep asking God to remove the hope but it would even get worse. What I do is even if I have this strong hope that it's gonna come to pass, I still am asking God to do his will, and not my will. In the end, all I want is for his will to be done, regardless if that thing is gonna happen or not, and the thing that's most important to me is that I get to spend eternal life with him. But yes, the feeling of loneliness and waiting is extremely difficult. Have you asked God to lead you on the right path whatever it takes?
 

Karlon

Well-known member
Mar 8, 2023
2,534
1,138
113
#3
I'm going through the most difficult period of my entire life. I won't elaborate on it really but I will say that until about 3 years ago I was never faced with the reality of God "speaking" directly to a person-- outside a Biblical episode. But this isn't a theoretical/abstract theological issue for me. About 3 years ago I was in a desperate position and crying out to God like never before, praying more frequently and more intensely than ever in my life, trying to get some clarity about a very painful situation. And one night while I was praying the Holy Spirit spoke something to my heart. It's hard to explain, but I know this was a real experience and it was confirmed by a multitude of other things later on. God impressed a promise upon my heart. I knew when it happened what it meant-- but I had no idea what kind of waiting period it would entail. Almost a year after that I received another clear answer to prayer that in a special way connected with the 1st promise. In between these events God also confirmed His first promise to me to someone else on the other side of the world who was praying for me in a way only God could do. there's a lot more i can say but I want to keep things simple. This is extremely difficult for me because I never thought God would keep me waiting this long and it all seems so hopeless now.
I'm just wondering if anyone else here can relate to this.
I often feel like I should give up hoping God will ever fulfill the promise to me... at the same time I can't deny that there have been further confirmations of the promise to me. A particularly notable one back in January. In a very special way God made clear to me His promise was still to me.
It's just so painful to keep waiting-- with no idea when it will ever come to pass.
yes, all Christians can relate. with God, nearly everything is a waiting game we can not imagine His wisdom, it's above us. but the usual reasons are: 1. we are asking amiss because we would abuse the answer.
2. we are involved in sin & God is waiting for us to release that sin.
3. we are asking without faith.
4. He's not done preparing the answer.
5. it simply isn't time yet.
6. He knows what you are asking din't proper for you.
in a world where the need for patience is rising, we are becoming less patient. on earth, anything you want can be had almost immediately & always. a deep search into one's soul will find answers about yourself you never knew before. I'm talking to sit down with all quietness & talk to Jesus for hours about where you are & who you are in life! how many people really do that? removing being anxious is a super test! but there's always an answer especially having a relationship with Jesus. each of us has to find a format to wait with Jesus like patience. what i always do is turn it to comedy. laugh & smile when you have to fix something. joke about it!. Jesus may even joke back with you on this. He does with me. your outlook speaks huge amounts on your problems. never be in a problem, be THRU it! adapt a smily comedic approach & you will be surprised at the attitude you know you can have. it will automatically move things along quicker in your situation. blessings to you. i will pray for you.
 

Gideon300

Well-known member
Mar 18, 2021
5,300
3,129
113
#4
I'm going through the most difficult period of my entire life. I won't elaborate on it really but I will say that until about 3 years ago I was never faced with the reality of God "speaking" directly to a person-- outside a Biblical episode. But this isn't a theoretical/abstract theological issue for me. About 3 years ago I was in a desperate position and crying out to God like never before, praying more frequently and more intensely than ever in my life, trying to get some clarity about a very painful situation. And one night while I was praying the Holy Spirit spoke something to my heart. It's hard to explain, but I know this was a real experience and it was confirmed by a multitude of other things later on. God impressed a promise upon my heart. I knew when it happened what it meant-- but I had no idea what kind of waiting period it would entail. Almost a year after that I received another clear answer to prayer that in a special way connected with the 1st promise. In between these events God also confirmed His first promise to me to someone else on the other side of the world who was praying for me in a way only God could do. there's a lot more i can say but I want to keep things simple. This is extremely difficult for me because I never thought God would keep me waiting this long and it all seems so hopeless now.
I'm just wondering if anyone else here can relate to this.
I often feel like I should give up hoping God will ever fulfill the promise to me... at the same time I can't deny that there have been further confirmations of the promise to me. A particularly notable one back in January. In a very special way God made clear to me His promise was still to me.
It's just so painful to keep waiting-- with no idea when it will ever come to pass.
Yes. Do a word study on faith sometime. You will be amazed (I was) at how often patience and faith are linked. I've had a similar experience in the past and I'm still waiting for something to come to pass. All I can say for now is, "Lord Jesus, I trust you".

My advice is to get on with your life, thank God for His promises but do not let them become an obsession. For example, I resisted the Baptism of the Holy Spirit for about 3 years. Finally, I realised that it was the gift of God and that I needed it. You'd think that would be enough. No. I could not get the baptism whatever I did.

Finally, I read something that set me free. It was by Pat Boone, who said that some blockages are due to being more focused on the Gift than the Giver. I realised instantly that was my problem. And then I received the Holy Spirit without any fanfare, on my own, Christmas Eve 1974.
 
Oct 30, 2023
37
22
8
#5
Yes. Do a word study on faith sometime. You will be amazed (I was) at how often patience and faith are linked. I've had a similar experience in the past and I'm still waiting for something to come to pass. All I can say for now is, "Lord Jesus, I trust you".

My advice is to get on with your life, thank God for His promises but do not let them become an obsession. For example, I resisted the Baptism of the Holy Spirit for about 3 years. Finally, I realised that it was the gift of God and that I needed it. You'd think that would be enough. No. I could not get the baptism whatever I did.

Finally, I read something that set me free. It was by Pat Boone, who said that some blockages are due to being more focused on the Gift than the Giver. I realised instantly that was my problem. And then I received the Holy Spirit without any fanfare, on my own, Christmas Eve 1974.
i know it would be wwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyy too good to be true for God to come through for me
 

Gideon300

Well-known member
Mar 18, 2021
5,300
3,129
113
#6
i know it would be wwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyy too good to be true for God to come through for me
If you have a word from God, it will come to pass. Many have testified to this. One the great preachers of the 70's and 80"s proudly said that he was going to have a son. His wife gave birth to a daughter. He was shocked. The Lord told him, "I did not say when". Eventually, the son did come. Another great was told he would preach in Japan. It was 8 years later.
 
Dec 24, 2022
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#7
Yes!

When I am feeling weary. And I bless others…as in proverbs 11:25. I am refreshed as in Jeremiah 31:25…
And how do I know I have refreshed others? I become refreshed myself.

What we give is what we get.

Start- the jam

 
Oct 30, 2023
37
22
8
#8
If you have a word from God, it will come to pass. Many have testified to this. One the great preachers of the 70's and 80"s proudly said that he was going to have a son. His wife gave birth to a daughter. He was shocked. The Lord told him, "I did not say when". Eventually, the son did come. Another great was told he would preach in Japan. It was 8 years later.
thank you for this.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,404
13,746
113
#9
I'm going through the most difficult period of my entire life. I won't elaborate on it really but I will say that until about 3 years ago I was never faced with the reality of God "speaking" directly to a person-- outside a Biblical episode. But this isn't a theoretical/abstract theological issue for me. About 3 years ago I was in a desperate position and crying out to God like never before, praying more frequently and more intensely than ever in my life, trying to get some clarity about a very painful situation. And one night while I was praying the Holy Spirit spoke something to my heart. It's hard to explain, but I know this was a real experience and it was confirmed by a multitude of other things later on. God impressed a promise upon my heart. I knew when it happened what it meant-- but I had no idea what kind of waiting period it would entail. Almost a year after that I received another clear answer to prayer that in a special way connected with the 1st promise. In between these events God also confirmed His first promise to me to someone else on the other side of the world who was praying for me in a way only God could do. there's a lot more i can say but I want to keep things simple. This is extremely difficult for me because I never thought God would keep me waiting this long and it all seems so hopeless now.
I'm just wondering if anyone else here can relate to this.
I often feel like I should give up hoping God will ever fulfill the promise to me... at the same time I can't deny that there have been further confirmations of the promise to me. A particularly notable one back in January. In a very special way God made clear to me His promise was still to me.
It's just so painful to keep waiting-- with no idea when it will ever come to pass.
Thanks for sharing. Consider the patience of Abram (Abraham) to whom the Lord gave the promise of a son. Abram waited many years before Isaac was born, and caused much grief by trying to make God's promise come about by his own works (Ishmael). God will fulfill His promises in His time, and not a minute sooner (or later!). Focus on the other things that God has for you to do in the meantime. :)
 
Oct 30, 2023
37
22
8
#10
Thanks for sharing. Consider the patience of Abram (Abraham) to whom the Lord gave the promise of a son. Abram waited many years before Isaac was born, and caused much grief by trying to make God's promise come about by his own works (Ishmael). God will fulfill His promises in His time, and not a minute sooner (or later!). Focus on the other things that God has for you to do in the meantime. :)
Around the time that I received this promise from God nearly 3 years ago I heard something that was very significant to me at the time from a world-renowned Bible teacher named Derek Prince who actually died about 20 yrs ago but had a ministry for over 50 years and left behind hundreds of recordings of his teachings and messages that are available online. Anyways, he said that he had often been asked if there was any message he could give to future generations what it would be and he said that he wouldn't even need to think about it and that he could easily sum up his message in 3 words: "God is faithful."
Those words really stuck out to me at the time and have remained extremely important to me ever since. Obviously Derek Prince had experienced God's faithfulness in many ways over the years, including the way that God had led him into ministry, but it definitely took a lot of time and a lifetime serious commitment to God for him to be able to learn that lesson so well. I have needed to believe those words for the past 3 years. I never before had to put so much stock in the belief that God is faithful and we can risk everything trusting Him. But God brought me into a situation where basically I have no choice but to completely trust Him. I've had to live my life in such a way over the past 3 years that I could only do because I'm really taking God seriously and believing that He is in charge of my life and that He has a plan that He is going to work out according to His sovereign wisdom. It can be a scary thing sometimes, having no clue when I will see a positive result from all this and knowing that I've gone too far now to turn around. Yet I know I have seen God show up again and again over the last few years, encouraging me and confirming things to me. It is definitely a long journey and I don't know how much longer this wilderness period will last. All I can do is continue trusting God and believing that He is faithful. I entirely depend on God now.
 

Edify

Well-known member
Jan 27, 2021
1,559
654
113
#11
I'm going through the most difficult period of my entire life. I won't elaborate on it really but I will say that until about 3 years ago I was never faced with the reality of God "speaking" directly to a person-- outside a Biblical episode. But this isn't a theoretical/abstract theological issue for me. About 3 years ago I was in a desperate position and crying out to God like never before, praying more frequently and more intensely than ever in my life, trying to get some clarity about a very painful situation. And one night while I was praying the Holy Spirit spoke something to my heart. It's hard to explain, but I know this was a real experience and it was confirmed by a multitude of other things later on. God impressed a promise upon my heart. I knew when it happened what it meant-- but I had no idea what kind of waiting period it would entail. Almost a year after that I received another clear answer to prayer that in a special way connected with the 1st promise. In between these events God also confirmed His first promise to me to someone else on the other side of the world who was praying for me in a way only God could do. there's a lot more i can say but I want to keep things simple. This is extremely difficult for me because I never thought God would keep me waiting this long and it all seems so hopeless now.
I'm just wondering if anyone else here can relate to this.
I often feel like I should give up hoping God will ever fulfill the promise to me... at the same time I can't deny that there have been further confirmations of the promise to me. A particularly notable one back in January. In a very special way God made clear to me His promise was still to me.
It's just so painful to keep waiting-- with no idea when it will ever come to pass.
God showed me a ministry I would be doing. I had 2 or 3 christians to confirm it yet it took 12 YEARS to come to pass!
By the time it did, I was 'cooling off' with the idea when the ministry was brought to me (not me forcing it) & put in my lap.
But.... a word of caution: the results will not be as you think because we are guilty of having visions of grandeur of how it will play out, & then reality smacks you in the face of how it really is.
It turned out it took those 12 years for me to mature to be ready for the ministry, so don't lose hope, God will confirm His plan for you in HIS time, not yours.:)
 

Tish

Philippians 1:6
Nov 30, 2023
47
22
8
#12
Remain faithful because you already have the promise. Romans chapter 4 says of Abraham, “He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.” You haven’t been forgotten. At different points in the Bible it says that God “remembered” them. And remembering them means that He moved on their behalf. I Samuel 2 says that God “remembered” Hannah and opened her womb. She gave birth to Samuel who was one of the greatest prophets in Israel. Take heart; you’ve not been forgotten. Thank him for the promise and for His faithfulness in bringing it to pass. You’ll see it.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
#13
If youve had a word from God...espcially if its a Promise of some sort, then yes, you may need to wait for it.

In the Bible how long did Sarah and Abraham need to wait for their first child? 25 years!

During that time God worked on them, and also, He peformed miracles as well since Sarah was techinically too old for childbearing. They couldnt have had any sooner, and when they tried through Hagar, that did not work out because God sets his own paremeters timeframes. He has eternity.

You need to, like Abraham did ...simply keep faith in Him
 

blueluna5

Well-known member
Jul 30, 2018
652
390
63
#14
It sucks waiting. I feel like it's a pretty constant in my life.... trying to hold on to 1 thing and waiting for another. It can give a lot of anxiety if you let it.

Yes, I felt like it took forever to find my husband, job, house, and we went through infertility. Aside from that I felt like I was waiting my entire childhood for things as well. 😆 so.... lots of waiting in my life.

I definitely know people who had everything handed to them, married high school sweetheart, given house and land, given dream job instantly, boom pregnant first time. Homeschooled and graduated early. I'm not sure she ever waited for anything. 🤔 😆 I'm sure she has but you get the idea.

It's really hard and can lead to anxiety. Abraham waited 100 years for his son. Thank the LORD he didn't make me wait that long! I did wait 5 years for my 1st son though. 💙 it was the hardest thing I ever went through.

The night I was baptized an angel appeared in my dreams as a stranger. We chatted and I didn't realize he was an angel. In any case he showed me the stars and started speaking to me in another language. When I woke up I immediately googled it so I wouldn't forget. It was Greek or Hebrew. I don't speak either. He said, "a new life." I assumed he meant because I was baptized.... didn't think anything of it but wrote in a dream journal I had.

1 year later on the SAME day I heard my babies heartbeat for the 1st time. "A new life" so then I understood what it meant and the meaning behind the stars.

I hope you get what you're praying soon. I'll pray for you about it.
 

Kyleses

New member
Jan 23, 2023
12
6
3
#15
I'm going through the most difficult period of my entire life. I won't elaborate on it really but I will say that until about 3 years ago I was never faced with the reality of God "speaking" directly to a person-- outside a Biblical episode. But this isn't a theoretical/abstract theological issue for me. About 3 years ago I was in a desperate position and crying out to God like never before, praying more frequently and more intensely than ever in my life, trying to get some clarity about a very painful situation. And one night while I was praying the Holy Spirit spoke something to my heart. It's hard to explain, but I know this was a real experience and it was confirmed by a multitude of other things later on. God impressed a promise upon my heart. I knew when it happened what it meant-- but I had no idea what kind of waiting period it would entail. Almost a year after that I received another clear answer to prayer that in a special way connected with the 1st promise. In between these events God also confirmed His first promise to me to someone else on the other side of the world who was praying for me in a way only God could do. there's a lot more i can say but I want to keep things simple. This is extremely difficult for me because I never thought God would keep me waiting this long and it all seems so hopeless now.
I'm just wondering if anyone else here can relate to this.
I often feel like I should give up hoping God will ever fulfill the promise to me... at the same time I can't deny that there have been further confirmations of the promise to me. A particularly notable one back in January. In a very special way God made clear to me His promise was still to me.
It's just so painful to keep waiting-- with no idea when it will ever come to pass.
We have to remember that God's timing is different than ours. God knows what your asking and sounds like he's answering. Waiting is our biggest challenge that God uses to grow our faith and trust in him. You don't want to give up on him now. Just keep going and keep praying, also thanking him for taking care of the issue. Also waiting longer on timing can mean he's planning on something better for you than your expecting. For me I've been wanting to live out in the country ever since I graduated high school. I grew up in the open space. So over the years I've tried to get a place but every time something started it shortly ended. 15 years later it's finally happening. While we are still in the city. We found 42 acres and are currently building a house on it so waiting all these years has got us more than just buying something. I'm just hoping it doesn't take along time to sell our house so we can move to the new one
 
Oct 30, 2023
37
22
8
#16
We have to remember that God's timing is different than ours. God knows what your asking and sounds like he's answering. Waiting is our biggest challenge that God uses to grow our faith and trust in him. You don't want to give up on him now. Just keep going and keep praying, also thanking him for taking care of the issue. Also waiting longer on timing can mean he's planning on something better for you than your expecting. For me I've been wanting to live out in the country ever since I graduated high school. I grew up in the open space. So over the years I've tried to get a place but every time something started it shortly ended. 15 years later it's finally happening. While we are still in the city. We found 42 acres and are currently building a house on it so waiting all these years has got us more than just buying something. I'm just hoping it doesn't take along time to sell our house so we can move to the new one
thanks for sharing this. waiting is definitely an extreme challenge. i never expected God to make me any kind of promise-- i was just forced by my circumstances to a point of desperation where I was crying out to God and praying a lot, and then one night while praying it just suddenly happened. And then after that there were further confirmations and things that connected dots for me, showing that God has been arranging the events of my life in a particular way... it honestly is a kind of burden to carry this promise from God. I've been doing it nearly 3 years now. I couldn't make any of this up. I know I didn't create the promise.
I'm guessing you prayed a lot to God about moving to the country. Did He ever make a promise to you about it? Or have you seen things happen in your circumstances that could only be explained by God's involvement?
 
Oct 30, 2023
37
22
8
#17
If youve had a word from God...espcially if its a Promise of some sort, then yes, you may need to wait for it.

In the Bible how long did Sarah and Abraham need to wait for their first child? 25 years!

During that time God worked on them, and also, He peformed miracles as well since Sarah was techinically too old for childbearing. They couldnt have had any sooner, and when they tried through Hagar, that did not work out because God sets his own paremeters timeframes. He has eternity.

You need to, like Abraham did ...simply keep faith in Him
thank you... before i received the promise from God 3 years ago I never imagined in my life that I would have to live with a promise from God, waiting all this time. i know it really happened. and in fact that 1st promise was only confirmed by a second promise about a year later that had a special connection to each other. not knowing how long it will be can be very frustrating. it's also really hard cuz i can't talk to many people about this situation because it takes too much effort trying to convince people this was from God and then in the end people make up their own minds about it anyways and i can't depend on others to believe me... and there are plenty of people who find it easier to doubt because of the amount of time that has already gone by without my situation really changes in a way that proves God is keeping the promise to me. i don't understand what's going on... but it's too late to stop believing now.
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,256
3,595
113
#18
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Matthew 6:34
 

Kyleses

New member
Jan 23, 2023
12
6
3
#19
thanks for sharing this. waiting is definitely an extreme challenge. i never expected God to make me any kind of promise-- i was just forced by my circumstances to a point of desperation where I was crying out to God and praying a lot, and then one night while praying it just suddenly happened. And then after that there were further confirmations and things that connected dots for me, showing that God has been arranging the events of my life in a particular way... it honestly is a kind of burden to carry this promise from God. I've been doing it nearly 3 years now. I couldn't make any of this up. I know I didn't create the promise.
I'm guessing you prayed a lot to God about moving to the country. Did He ever make a promise to you about it? Or have you seen things happen in your circumstances that could only be explained by God's involvement?
It's sad that his answer is a burden to you understand more than us. I grew up on a farm and that became part of me so after I graduated high-school I went put and tried finding a place of my own. Praying alot yes I've had several places come up and each one came to an end. Then we found this place and another place. It felt like God kept bringing us back to this piece of land. We don't own it yet but God already has our lives planned out so I know this will work. We have to not just believe that he will do it, but thank him for already doing it even though we haven't seen the end yet.